Kerr down on numbers

Under-pressure Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr trained with a depleted squad ahead of his side’s critical forthcoming World Cup qualifying double-header.

There were just 16 faces on show throughout the two-hour session, although the full requisite of players are due to fly out to Cyprus tomorrow for Saturday’s Group Four showdown in Nicosia.

The suspended duoof Crystal Place striker Clinton Morrison and Tottenham winger Andy Reid will not join up with the rest of the squad until Sunday prior to the Lansdowne Road clash with Switzerland next Wednesday.

That left six no-shows, with goalkeepers Shay Given of Newcastle and Dundee United’s Nick Colgan, along with Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane all given dispensation to arrive late.

Newcastle defender Stephen Carr is due in tomorrow after suffering a family bereavement, while Sunderland cenre-back Gary Breen is a doubt at this early stage with a calf strain sustained in the Black Cats’ 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.

Liverpool defender Steve Finnan is also struggling with a sore knee which restricted him to nothing more than a walk around the training pitch at Malahide United, with the 29-year-old expected to figure either tomorrow or Thursday.

With Morrison sidelined for Saturday’s game, that has opened the door to Kevin Doyle, who in June joined Coca-Cola Championship side Reading in a move from Cork City.

The move, combined with three goals to date for the Royals, has elevated the 22-year-old from the Under-21s and into the senior reckoning.

Doyle comes into the squad at an wkward time, with the Republic needing to win both matches to stand a chance of at least claiming a play-off place.

But despite being forced to jump into the deep end, Doyle is unfazed as he said: “Any time is always a good time for your first call-up, and with more focus on these games, it’s probably even better for me.

“I’m happy to revel in the limelight because this is the kind of moment I’ve been waiting for.

“Anyone would enjoy being called into the squad for two tough games at the end of which we will have hopefully qualified for the World Cup.

“I’ll just get to know everyone as quick as possible first, do my best and hopefully give the manager a few ideas.”

Although Doyle has only been at Reading for three months, he feels he has improved as a player and is deserving of his call-up, adding: “I’ve learned some things, but confidence-wise the move has done a lot for me.

“Whether this call-up would have come if I’d still been in the eircom League, I don’t know, although I’m sure playing in the Championship and scoring a few goals against a higher quality of defender has helped my cause a lot.

“That has given me a boost coming into the squad.

“If I manage to play in either game, it would be amazing. For any player earning their first cap is an honour, and if it happens to me then I will be absolutely delighted.”